Community Crowds Buddy Walk

It was the biggest Buddy Walk yet. 

More than a thousand people walked the mile-long path at the Wyckoff Family YMCA on Saturday, raising funds to benefit Down syndrome research, said Christine Hourihan, co-chairperson of the Buddy Walk of Bergen County.

After the walk, families gathered in the parking lot for carnival entertainment, including face painting, three bouncy moonwalks, refreshments and a DJ booth playing both contemporary and classic hits, like the crowd-pleasing “Thriller,” by Michael Jackson.

Children gobbled up ice pops at the concession stand and wandered from one moonwalk to the other. Although dark clouds threatened, rain didn't come until the tail-end of the event.

“The weather has cooperated,” co-chairperson Jeanne Kelly said, relieved. She added that she enjoyed “seeing happy faces and happy families.”

Not only was it an all-around good time, but the Buddy Walk also helped families that have children with Down syndrome connect with each other, said Franklin Martinez, who walked in support of his daughter, Eva.

He explained that it’s great to join families that have this in common, and also to see every family giving their child rock-solid support.

“It allows us to meet many folks in the community,” he said.